The American space agency (NASA) plans to carry out the first space mission to Mars by 2040. But this could trigger serious health complications for astronauts who participate in the endeavor. A group of 105 researchers conducted a series of tests that revealed that going to the Red Planet could result in serious kidney problems.
The study combined the analysis of data from humans and rats that participated in space flights with information extracted from tests, carried out on other rats, that simulated the effects of Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR).
This is, according to one of the universities involved in the research, the largest study ever carried out on kidney health in space flights. The results were published by the scientific journal Nature.
“We know what has happened to astronauts, in terms of the increase in health problems like kidney stones, on the relatively short space missions carried out so far. What we don’t know is why these problems occur, nor what will happen to astronauts on longer flights, such as the proposed mission to Mars,” Keith Siew, one of the study’s authors, told University College London.
So far, according to a statement from the university, most of the missions have taken place in Low Orbit and, therefore, the crew members have been partially protected by the Earth’s magnetic field. Only the 24 people who went to the Moon were exposed to Cosmic Radiation, but for a short period of time, which varied between six and 12 days.
To find out how the human body would behave over a longer period of time, the researchers exposed the animals to simulated doses of radiation equivalent to long-term space missions, which ranged from one and a half to two and a half years.
The results show that the mice suffered permanent kidney damage.
“If we don’t develop new ways to protect the kidneys, I would say that an astronaut could reach Mars, but he may need dialysis on the return trip”, adds Siew. Dialysis is the recommended treatment for people with kidney problems.
The research results indicated that the kidneys are “remodeled” and can shrink depending on spatial conditions. In addition to exposure to radiation, another factor that can contribute to the phenomenon is microgravity.
The study, however, did not reach a definitive conclusion about what causes kidney complications.
For Stephen B. Walsh, who also participated in the research, a possible way to mitigate this effect is the development of a new medicine. “As we learn more about kidney biology, it may be possible to develop technological or pharmaceutical measures to facilitate prolonged space travel,” he says.
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